Match report: Brentford vs Nottingham Forest

Brentford started the stronger of the two teams as they looked to cause some redemption after they drew in midweek to struggling Derby despite taking a two-goal lead. Brentford were rewarded with their high press and quick tempo when they received a penalty after 12 minutes when Gateem Bong hurled down Ivan Toney in the box from a corner and it was the striker that dusted himself off and sent the goalkeeper, Brice Samba the wrong way. That goal was Ivan Toney’s 28th goal of the season and ensured Brentford early pressure was capitalised by the home team.

Forest dealt with Brentford’s relentless attack well and neutralised most of the threats that Brentford possessed. However, Forest resilient defence was breached again from another corner and they should have been two behind when Vitaly Janelt's volleyed the ball against the crossbar and the ball fell for Henrik Dalsgaard who was unfortunate as he was unable to sort his feet out to convert the rebound, as the ball trickled wide of the post. This was the last significant event from what was a cagey and non-productive first half.

Brentford again had the chance to double their lead at the start of the second half. Toney controlled a Christian Norgaard's through ball and then squared it for Bryan Mbeumo who had his shot miraculously by Gateem Bong, who redeemed himself from the foul that led to Brentford’s opener.

But Forest never looked out of what was a tight game and they were given a lifeline on 63 minutes when Filip Krovinovic coolly slotted the ball past Raya in the Brentford net after the ball was not cleared by on loan defender Winston Reid. However, Brentford will claim that this goal should not have stood as they believed there was a foul in the build-up when Cafu went unpunished for grappling Mathias Jensen just past the halfway line.

Both teams from here had limited chances with Cyrus Christie going close to completing a turnaround for the visitors when his deflected shot from range just went agonisingly wide of the post. Toney also had a speculate shot from distance in the last few seconds of the game that had Samba worried, however both teams settled for a point at the end of the match.

This result meant that Brentford had lost further ground in the race for automatic promotion and a second game in a row where they have drawn despite taking the lead. For Forest this was another point that steers them away from the relegation zone and now they are seven points above the relegation zone with eight games to play.